So it should come as no surprise at all, even if the name is a little unfamiliar, that both Premier League clubs are hot on the trail of FC Augsburg’s assist king Philipp Max.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season with the Bundesliga high-flyers and has tallied seven assists in 15 games from left-back. A wonderful crosser and a set-piece master, no one has set up more goals in Germany’s top flight than Max this season.

And according to The Mail, Everton and Spurs are both monitoring the buccaneering leftie, as are Manchester United and Liverpool.

And whoever wins the race will sign one of the most creative left-backs in the game, not to mention an improving young player capable of nailing down that Germany number three jersey for the next few years.

Max is under contract until 2022 so it will take a hefty offer to tempt Augsburg into a sale, with the report suggesting his price tag is soaring. But if Everton or Spurs are to replace full-backs as influential as Baines and Rose, they should have no qualms about paying top dollar.

Danny Owen

Daniel is a Journalist graduate from Leeds Trinity University and is generally obsessed with everything football related. Daniel watches everything from Augsburg in the Bundesliga to Vitesse in the Eredivisie with as much La Liga as possible thrown in for good measure.